What Puts Me at Risk for Heart Disease?
No one lives a perfectly healthy life. Many people want to know how to prevent heart disease, and they want to find out how their daily lifestyle choices could be putting them at risk. It is very important to be aware of your habits and make changes where you can. However, worrying too much about every decision you make won’t be healthy for your heart either, because it’s likely to bring on stress.
First off, consider how your vices may be harming you. Most of us have areas where we can make improvements. For example, we all know it’s a good idea to avoid smoking tobacco. However, did you know vaping nicotine can also put you at risk for heart problems? If you suffer from conditions that affect your cardiovascular health, it’s best not to smoke or vape. Likewise, limiting or getting rid of your alcohol consumption is helpful, as well as cutting back on processed foods.
Eight Risk Factors for Heart Disease
We’ve outlined eight risk factors for heart disease so you can avoid or manage your risks. Remember, if you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or heart failure, visit your nearest E.R. to get checked out immediately!
1. Poor-quality diet
A diet high in saturated fats, like meat, dairy, palm oil, fried foods, and coconut oil can put you at risk for high blood cholesterol levels (LDL, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol), which can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to your heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
2. Little to No Physical Activity
Skipping out on exercise is like skipping out on your heart’s chance to get stronger and more efficient at pumping blood. Plus, regular exercise helps keep your arteries clear and your blood pressure in check, reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Smoking/Vaping
Nicotine is a toxic substance which raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline. Smoking damages the lining of the arteries, leading to a buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) that can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
4. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
While drinking a beer or a glass of wine now and then is okay, too much alcohol can be a downer for your heart. It can raise your blood pressure, contribute to weight gain, and even lead to heart muscle damage over time, so moderation is the key to keeping healthy and happy.
5. Chronic Stress
It’s a natural part of life and impossible to eliminate, and stress sometimes puts a heavy load on your heart. It can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like overeating or smoking, and over time, it may increase blood pressure and strain on your heart. Finding ways to manage your stress, including prioritizing rest, will help tremendously.
6. Poor Sleep
Lack of regular sleep, or having sleep disorders like apnea or insomnia, can be hard on your heart. People who regularly get six or fewer hours of sleep at night are 20% more likely to suffer a heart attack.
7. Obesity or Unhealthy Weight
Obesity places undue strain on the heart by contributing to conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood), and insulin resistance, all of which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
8. Poorly Managed Diabetes
People who struggle with managing their diabetes can see it lead to heart trouble because of damaging blood vessels, which increases the risk of atherosclerosis and narrowing of arteries. High blood pressure and abnormal lipid levels will further elevate the risk of heart disease. Individuals with diabetes are automatically at greater risk of heart attacks, so managing your diabetes to lower the risk is essential to a healthy heart. Medication and regular monitoring will most likely be required to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Preventing Heart Problems
To keep your heart healthy, focus on eating a balanced diet that is rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Stay active with an exercise routine you enjoy, like dancing, cycling, or karate—anything that gets your heart pumping!
Manage stress with therapy, relaxation techniques, and a healthy home. Learning how to handle stress can take months, if not years. Be gentle with yourself, and don’t expect change to happen overnight. But speaking of overnight—getting a good night’s sleep will also support heart health.
Be mindful of underlying health conditions that could put you at risk. People with high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop heart disease or suffer a heart attack.
Visit Total Point ER for Round-the-Clock Heart Care in Burleson, TX
From heat stroke to angina, there are many different cardiovascular issues that may call for emergency medical care. If you experience any symptoms of a heart attack, such as trouble breathing, increased heart rate, or tightness in the chest, you need to seek medical attention right away—visit our Burleson Total Point ER location.
Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay on 7.22.2024 | used under the creative commons license